Network access coordination of load control devices

ABSTRACT

An apparatus may control the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, and may comprise a controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also comprise a controller that may be operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wireless communication circuit operable to communicate via a first protocol and to join a first wireless communication network operable to communicate via the first protocol. The first wireless communication circuit may be in communication with the controller. The controller may be operative to determine a first condition for communicating via the first protocol. The controller may also be operable to control the first wireless communication circuit to join the first wireless communication network upon the first condition being satisfied.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional applicationSer. No. 15/011,257 filed on Jan. 29, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No.10,050,444, issued Aug. 14, 2018), which is a continuation of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/796,486 filed on Mar. 12, 2013(now U.S. Pat. No. 9,413,171, issued Aug. 9, 2016), which claims thebenefit of commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/745,419, filed on Dec. 21, 2012, and titled NETWORK ACCESSCOORDINATION OF LOAD CONTROL DEVICES, the entire contents of all ofwhich being hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set-forthherein, for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

A load control device may control the amount of power delivered to anelectrical load. Load control devices include, for example, lightingcontrol devices (such as wall-mounted dimmer switches and plug-in lampdimmers), motor control devices (for motor loads), temperature controldevices, motorized window treatments, and remote controls. Typically, aload control device may be coupled in a series electrical connectionbetween an alternating-current (AC) power source and the electrical loadto control the power delivered from the AC power source to theelectrical load.

In some applications, the load control device may connect to a wirelessnetwork, such as a Wi-Fi network for example. Examples of Wi-Fi-enabledload control devices include those described in commonly-assigned U.S.application Ser. No. 13/538,555, filed Jun. 29, 2012, titled LOADCONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the contents of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, for allpurposes. In practice, such devices may connect to wireless networkprovided by a wireless network access point (AP), such as an AP providedby a home Wi-Fi router.

APs, and particularly home Wi-Fi routers, often have practical capacitylimitations well below the theoretical protocol maximums. For example, atypical IP subnet might theoretically support 254 addressable devices.However, a home Wi-Fi router may only have internal memory sized tosupport 30 addressable devices. These practical limitations are oftenunnoticed, even by the most voracious Internet households. Having morethan 30 Wi-Fi devices, computers, tablets, cell phones, on a householdnetwork at one time is uncommon. And, even in a commercial setting,wireless networks are routinely engineered with 10-30 users per router.The traffic generated by 10-30 commercial users often reaches thepractical traffic capacity for the router.

But, it is not uncommon for a residential or commercial installation tohave well over 30 load control devices. FIG. 1 offers a partialillustration of the modern residential technological environment 10. InFIG. 1, traditional network devices such as computers 18 and 46, tablets36, smart phones 16 and 44, and printer 20, when few in number may bewell served by a home Wi-Fi router 14. However, a home usingWi-Fi-enabled load control devices such as lighting load controls 12,22, 24, 28, 32, 40, 42, and 50, motorized window treatments 26, 30, and38, smart thermostats 34 and 48, and the like, may have a total numberof devices vying for network access from the home Wi-Fi router 14 thatmay well exceed the router's capacity.

SUMMARY

An apparatus, such as a dimmer switch, may control the power deliveredfrom an AC power source to at least one electrical load, such as one ormore lights. The apparatus may comprise a controllably conductive deviceadapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the sourceand the one or more lights. The apparatus may also comprise a controllerthat may be operatively coupled to a control input of the controllablyconductive device. The apparatus may also include a first wirelesscommunication circuit that may communicate via a first protocol and maybe used to join a first wireless communication network. The firstwireless communication network may communicate via the first protocol.The first wireless communication circuit may be in communication withthe controller. The controller may control the controllably conductivedevice for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive andnon-conductive, perhaps to increase and/or decrease the intensity of theone or more lights. The controller may also determine a first conditionfor communicating via the first protocol. The controller may control thefirst wireless communication circuit to join the first wirelesscommunication network when the first condition being is.

An apparatus, such as a remote control device or an occupancy sensor,may be configured to provide information for the control of powerdelivered to at least one electrical load, such as sending commands todimmer switches. The apparatus may comprise a controller and a sensor(e.g. for the occupancy sensor) or a manual operator (e.g., for theremote control device). Either the sensor and/or the manual operator maybe in communication with the controller. The apparatus may furthercomprise a first wireless communication circuit that may communicate viaa first protocol and may join a first wireless communication network.The first wireless communication network may be operable forcommunication via the first protocol. And the first wirelesscommunication circuit may communicate with the controller. Thecontroller may determine the information based at least in part on asignal received from either the sensor and/or the manual operator. Thecontroller may also determine a first condition for communicating viathe first protocol. And the controller may also control the firstwireless communication circuit to join the first wireless communicationnetwork when the first condition is satisfied.

An apparatus may control the power delivered to at least one electricalload. The apparatus may comprise a controller and a first wirelesscommunication circuit that may be operable to communicate via a firstprotocol and to join a first wireless communication network that may beoperable to communicate via the first protocol. The first communicationcircuit may be in communication with the controller. The apparatus mayalso comprise a second communication circuit operable to communicate viaa second protocol. The second communication circuit may be incommunication with the controller. The controller may be operable todetermine a first condition for communicating via the first protocol.The first condition may include a receipt of a signal via the secondcommunication circuit and via the second protocol to join the firstwireless communication network. The controller may also be operable tocontrol the first wireless communication circuit to join the firstwireless communication network upon the first condition being satisfied.

A network node may be in communication with a load control device. Theload control device may control the power delivered to at least oneelectrical load. The load control device may comprise a firstcontroller. The load control device may also comprise a first wirelesscommunication circuit that may be operable to communicate via firstprotocol and may be operable to join a first wireless communicationnetwork. The load control device may also comprise a secondcommunication circuit that may be operable to communicate via a secondprotocol. The network node may comprise a second controller and a thirdcommunication circuit that may be operable to communicate via the secondprotocol. The third communication circuit may be in communication withthe second controller. The second controller may be operable todetermine a first condition for the load control device to communicatevia the first protocol. The second controller may also be operable tosend a first signal via the third communication circuit and via thesecond protocol to the load control device upon the first conditionbeing satisfied. The first signal may cause the load control device tocontrol the first wireless communication circuit to join the firstwireless communication network.

A wireless control device may be used in a load control system tocontrol power delivered from a power source to an electrical load. Thewireless control device may comprise a first wireless communicationcircuit that may be configured to communicate digital messages via afirst wireless communication network. The wireless device may comprise acontrol circuit that may be in communication with the first wirelesscommunication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to join thefirst wireless communication network. The control circuit may beconfigured to communicate digital messages via the first wirelesscommunication network using a first protocol. The control circuit may beconfigured to determine an occurrence of a first condition. The controlcircuit may be configured to join the first wireless communicationnetwork upon the first condition being satisfied. The control circuitmay be configured to determine an occurrence of a second condition. Thecontrol circuit may be configured to disconnect from the first wirelesscommunication network upon the second condition being satisfied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example environment that may utilize a number ofcontemplated load control devices, sensors, and/or remote controldevices.

FIG. 2 is a simple diagram of a radio-frequency (RF) lighting controlsystem comprising a dimmer switch and a wireless control device, such asa smart phone.

FIG. 3A is a diagram of a first example network in which one or morecontemplated devices and techniques may be employed.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of a second example network in which one or morecontemplated devices and techniques may be employed.

FIG. 3C is a diagram of a third example network in which one or morecontemplated devices and techniques may be employed.

FIG. 4A is a first simplified example block diagram of the dimmer switchof the RF lighting control system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4B is a second simplified example block diagram of the dimmerswitch of the RF lighting control system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4C is a third simplified example block diagram of the dimmer switchof the RF lighting control system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5A is a first simplified example block diagram of an input devicelike the remote control devices of FIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 5B is a second simplified example block diagram of an input devicelike the remote control device of FIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 5C is a first simplified example block diagram of a sensor devicelike the occupancy sensor of FIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 5D is a second simplified example block diagram of a sensor devicelike the occupancy sensor of FIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 5E is a simplified example block diagram of a contemplatedcombination input and sensor device which may be employed in theenvironments of FIGS. 3A-3C.

FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates network access activity for one ormore contemplated devices and techniques.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary flow chart for Internet Protocol addressassignments for load control devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 2 is a simple diagram of a radio-frequency (RF) lighting controlsystem 100 that may include a dimmer switch 110 and a wireless controldevice 120. The wireless control device 120 may be any device capable ofperforming wireless communications, such as, a smart phone (e.g., aniPhone® smart phone, an Android® smart phone, or a Blackberry® smartphone), a personal computer, a laptop, a wireless-capable media device(e.g., MP3 player, gaming device, or television), or a tablet device,(for example, an iPad® hand-held computing device), a Wi-Fi orwireless-communication-capable television, or any other suitableInternet-Protocol-enabled device.

The wireless control device 120 may be operable to transmit digitalmessages to the dimmer switch 110 in one or more Internet Protocol (IP)packets. The Internet Protocol layer is responsible for addressing hostsand routing datagrams (i.e., packets) from a source host to adestination host across one or more IP networks. For this purpose, theInternet Protocol layer defines an addressing system that has twofunctions: identifying hosts and providing a logical location service.This is accomplished by defining standard datagrams and a standardaddressing system.

Each datagram has two components, a header and a payload. The IP headerincludes the source IP address, destination IP address, and othermeta-data needed to route and deliver the datagram. The payload is thedata that is transported.

The wireless control device 120 may transmit the digital messages (e.g.,IP packets) via RF signals 106 either directly or via a wireless networkthat includes a standard wireless router 130. For example, the wirelesscontrol device 120 may transmit the RF signals 106 directly to thedimmer switch 110 via a point-to-point communication link, e.g., a Wi-Ficommunication link, such as an 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN),or other direct wireless communication link, such as a Wi-MAXcommunication link or a Bluetooth® communication link. Thispoint-to-point communication may be performed using a standardizedcommunication, e.g., Wi-Fi Direct communication, or any non-standardizedcommunication that allows a wireless device to connect to anotherwireless device without the use of a wireless access point. For example,the wireless control device 120 and/or the dimmer switch 110 maydownload a software access point (AP) that provides a protected wirelesscommunication between the devices.

The wireless control device 120 may also transmit RF signals 106 to thedimmer switch 110 via the wireless network (i.e., via the wirelessrouter 130). The wireless network may enable wireless communications viaone or more wireless communications links, e.g., a Wi-Fi communicationslink, a Wi-MAX communications link, a Bluetooth® communications link, acellular communications link, a television white space (TVWS)communication link, or any combination thereof. For example, thewireless control device 120 may communicate with a network server via afirst wireless communications link (e.g., a cellular communicationslink), while the dimmer switch 110 communicates with the network servervia a second communications link (e.g., a Wi-Fi communications link).Alternatively or additionally, the wireless control device 120 and thedimmer switch 110 may communicate with the network via the same type ofcommunication link. The lighting control system 100 may also include afemtocell, a Home Node B, and/or other network entity for facilitatingthe configuration and operation of the lighting control system and forallowing wireless communications and connection to the Internet.

The dimmer switch 110 may be coupled in series electrical connectionbetween an AC power source 102 and a lighting load 104 for controllingthe amount of power delivered to the lighting load. The dimmer switch110 may be wall-mounted in a standard electrical wallbox, oralternatively implemented as a table-top load control device. The dimmerswitch 110 comprises a faceplate 112 and a bezel 113 received in anopening of the faceplate. The dimmer switch 110 further comprises atoggle actuator 114 and an intensity adjustment actuator 116. Actuationsof the toggle actuator 114 toggle, e.g., alternatingly turn off and on,the lighting load 104. Actuations of an upper portion 116A or a lowerportion 116B of the intensity adjustment actuator 116 may respectivelyincrease or decrease the amount of power delivered to the lighting load104 and thus increase or decrease the intensity of the lighting load 104from a minimum (i.e., low-end) intensity (e.g., approximately 1-10%) toa maximum (i.e., high-end) intensity (e.g., approximately 100%). Aplurality of visual indicators 118, e.g., light-emitting diodes (LEDs),may be arranged in a linear array on the left side of the bezel 113. Thevisual indicators 118 are illuminated to provide visual feedback of theintensity of the lighting load 104. An example of a dimmer switch havinga toggle actuator and an intensity adjustment actuator is described ingreater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919 (“the 919 patent”), issuedSep. 28, 1993, entitled LIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE, the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the dimmerswitch 110 could be replaced by an electronic switch for simply turningthe lighting load 104 on and off. The electronic switch may include asingle visual indicator, e.g., the middle indicator of the visualindicators 118 of the dimmer switch 110.

The dimmer switch 110 may include an optical receiver 119. The opticalreceiver 119 may be used to receive optical signals from the wirelesscontrol device 120. Optical signals may be free-space opticalcommunications or communications via physical connections. For example,free space optical communications may include communications via air,while physical optical communications may include communications viaoptical fiber cable or an optical transmission pipe. The optical signalsmay also be included in visible light, e.g., a flashing light, ornon-visible light, e.g., infrared, spectrums.

The optical signals may provide instructions for programming and/oradjusting the operating parameters (e.g., the low-end intensity and thehigh-end intensity) of the dimmer switch 110. For example, the opticalsignals may be used to configure the dimmer switch such that the dimmerswitch 110 is operable to receive the RF signals 106 from the wirelesscontrol device 120 as will be described in greater detail below. Theoptical signals may also be used to control or program the lightingconfigurations of the dimmer switch 110. And, though devices andtechniques described herein may be described with respect to usingoptical signals or other signals to program or control a dimmer switchfrom a wireless control device, such signals may be used to program orcontrol any device that is capable of receiving instructions via suchoptical or other signals, such as shades, thermostats, plug-in devices,or the like. Examples of methods of communicating optical signalsbetween the dimmer switch 110 and the wireless control device 120 aredescribed in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/538,665, filed on Jun. 29, 2012, titled METHOD OF OPTICALLYTRANSMITTING DIGITAL INFORMATION FROM A SMART PHONE TO A CONTROL DEVICE,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Wireless load control devices are described in greater detail incommonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,226, issued Nov. 17, 1998,entitled COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLINGAND DETERMINING THE STATUS OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES FROM REMOTE LOCATIONS;U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,728, issued Oct. 12, 2004, entitled SYSTEM FORCONTROL OF DEVICES; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/033,223, filedFeb. 19, 2008, entitled COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR A RADIO-FREQUENCYLOAD CONTROL SYSTEM; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/234,573,filed Sep. 16, 2011, entitled DYNAMIC KEYPAD FOR CONTROLLINGENERGY-SAVINGS SETTINGS OF A LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM; the entire disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The wireless control device 120 has a visual display 122, which maycomprise a touch screen having, for example, a capacitive touch paddisplaced overtop the visual display, such that the visual display maydisplay soft buttons that may be actuated by a user. Alternatively, thewireless control device 120 may comprise a plurality of hard buttons(e.g., physical buttons or manual operators) in addition to the visualdisplay 122. The wireless control device 120 may download a productcontrol application for allowing the user to control the lighting load104. In response to actuations of the displayed soft buttons or hardbuttons, the wireless control device 120 transmits digital messages tothe dimmer switch 110 directly or through other wireless communicationsdescribed herein. For example, the digital messages may be transmittedvia Wi-Fi communication using the wireless router 130. The dimmer switch110 may adjust the intensity of the lighting load 104 in response tocommands included in the digital messages, such that the dimmer switchcontrols the lighting load in response to actuations of the soft buttonsor hard buttons of the wireless control device 120.

In addition, the wireless control device 120 may be controlled totransmit optical signals, near field communication (NFC) signals, or RFsignals according to a proprietary RF communication protocol (such as,for example, the Clear Connect™ protocol) as described herein. Forexample, the visual display 122 may be controlled to transmit opticalsignals to the optical receiver 119 of the dimmer switch 110 (as will bedescribed in greater detail below).

The dimmer switch 110 and the wireless control device 120 may both beassigned a unique address for wireless communications via the wirelessnetwork (i.e., via the wireless router 130) as described herein. Forexample, where wireless communications are performed using a Wi-Ficommunication link, a Media Access Control (MAC) address may be assigned(e.g., during manufacture). The wireless control device 120 may connectto the wireless LAN via the wireless router 130 using standardprocedures. The wireless control device 120 is assigned an InternetProtocol (IP) address upon connecting to the wireless LAN. The wirelesscontrol device 120 may store the service set identifier (SSID) and theSSID password of the wireless LAN. After obtaining the IP address, thewireless control device 120 is able to assign an IP address (e.g.,different from the IP address of the wireless control device 120) to thedimmer switch 110. Alternatively, the dimmer switch 110 may be operableto obtain the IP address from the wireless router 130 using, forexample, procedures defined by the Wi-Fi Protected Setup standard.

The dimmer switch 110 may be associated with (e.g., assigned to) thewireless control device 120, such that the wireless control device maytransmit commands for controlling the intensity of the lighting load 104or programming the dimmer switch 110. Such commands may be transmittedto the dimmer switch 110 via the RF signals 106. Digital messagestransmitted to and from the dimmer switch 110 may include, for example,the MAC address and the IP address of the dimmer switch 110. The dimmerswitch 110 is operable to turn the lighting load 104 on and off. Thedimmer switch 110 is also operable to adjust the intensity of thelighting load in response to received digital messages, including theMAC address and the IP address of the dimmer switch, for example. Inaddition, the wireless router 130 may be operable to receive commandsfor controlling the lighting load 104 from the Internet, and maywirelessly transmit corresponding digital messages to the dimmer switch110.

The dimmer switch 110 may be assigned an IP address, an SSID, an SSIDpassword, and/or a software AP at manufacture, such that the dimmerswitch 110 may act as an AP for other communication devices in a LAN.The wireless control device 120 may recognize the dimmer switch 110 asan AP and may connect to the LAN via the dimmer switch 110. For example,the dimmer switch 110 may connect to router 130 or may perform thefunctions of the router 130 itself.

The dimmer switch 110 may also connect to the wireless LAN to discoverother dimmer switches (not shown). The dimmer switch 110 may discoverthe other dimmer switches using any discovery protocol, such as Bonjour,Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP), Bluetooth® Service DiscoveryProtocol (SDP), DNS service discovery (DNS-SD), Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol (DHCP), Internet Storage Name Service (iSNS),Jini for Java objects, Service Location Protocol (SLP), SessionAnnouncement Protocol (SAP) for RTP sessions, Simple Service DiscoveryProtocol (SSDP) for Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), UniversalDescription Discovery and Integration (UDDI) for web services, Web ProxyAutodiscovery protocol (WPAD), Web Services Dynamic Discovery(WS-Discovery), XMPP Service Discovery (XEP-0030), and/or XRDS for XRI,OpenID, OAuth, etc. Upon the dimmer switch 110 discovering one or moreother dimmer switches, the dimmer switch may create a peer-to-peernetwork of dimmer switches capable of communicating with one another.For example, the dimmer switches may communicate programming and/orcontrol instructions received from the wireless control device 120.

The wireless control device 120 may control the lighting load 104 bycommunicating instructions to the dimmer switch 110 via the RF signals106 that cause the dimmer switch 110 to execute control instructionsthat have been pre-programmed on the dimmer switch 110. For example, thedimmer switch 110 may be pre-programmed at manufacture or via an updateto execute the control instructions. The control instructions mayinclude pre-configured settings (e.g., protected or locked lightingpresets), instructions for raising/lowering lighting level, instructionsfor fading, instructions for scheduling, instructions for turning lightson/off, or any other pre-programmed instruction, for example.

The wireless control device 120 may also program the settings (i.e., theoperating parameters) of the dimmer switch 110 (e.g., when the dimmerswitch is in a programming mode). For example, the dimmer switch 110 maybe a dimmer switch that may have a limited user interface (UI) or maynot have any user interface. As such, the user interface of the wirelesscontrol device 120 may be used to program the dimmer switch 110. Forexample, various wireless communication links described herein, e.g.,Wi-Fi signals, optical signals, near field communication (NFC) signals,or proprietary-protocol RF signals, may be used to program any of anumber of programmable features provided by the dimmer switch 110. Suchfeatures may be selected via the wireless control device 120. Forexample, the wireless control device 120 may program the dimmer switch110 with such features as protected or locked presets, high-end trim,low-end trim, adjustable delay, fade time, load type, performingcommunications via wireless communication modes (e.g., as describedherein), or being compatible with different lamps. In addition, thewireless control device 120 may be operable to program the dimmer switch110 to change between modes of operation, for example, between aswitching mode, a dimming mode, and/or an electronic timer mode (i.e., acountdown timer mode). The programming signal may be a one-way ortwo-way serial communication with the dimmer switch 110. Examples ofmethod of programming the dimmer switch 110 using the wireless controldevice 120 are described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/538,615, filed Jun. 29, 2012, titledMETHOD OF PROGRAMMING A LOAD CONTROL DEVICE USING A SMART PHONE, theentire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIG. 3A is a diagram of an exemplary network environment 300A. In FIG.3A, the router 130 may communicate with one or more servers 304, 306 viathe Internet 308, perhaps as accessed through the “cloud.” For example,router 130 may establish at least one Internet Protocol (IP) connectionwith either server 304 and/or 306. The at least one IP connectionbetween the router 130 and either server 304 and/or 306 may be made viaa router's 130 public IP address (and the respective public IP addressesof server 304 and/or server 306). In some configurations, a gatewaydevice 310 may communicate with the router 130 via a wired or wirelessconnection. Any number of devices in FIG. 3A, such as, for example, therouter 130, the gateway device 310, laptop 314, dimmer switch 110A,dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C, among other devices, maybe connected to the AC power supply 102, perhaps via a hardwiredconnection or via electrical outlets 316 and 316A, for example. Dimmerswitch 110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C may operatelighting load 104A lighting load 104B, and/or lighting load 104C,respectively, as described previously herein. Occupancy sensor 180 maycommunicate with the router 130 and/or dimmer switches 110A, 110B,and/or 110C, perhaps to adjust the intensity of one or more of thedimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C based on a detected occupancy ofthe environment 300A. A user may activate one or more of the buttons(soft buttons or hard buttons (e.g. physical buttons or manualoperators)) on a remote control device 184, which may communicate withthe router 130 and/or dimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C to adjustthe intensity of one or more of the dimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or110C. And a user may override the occupancy sensor's 180 control of thedimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C, for example.

The router 130 may establish a non-public (or private) IP address forthe router 130 and may establish an IP connection and correspondingrespective private IP addresses with the dimmer switch 110A, 110B,and/or 110C, the gateway device 310, and the laptops 312 and/or 314. Therouter 130 may coordinate one or more of the respective private IPaddresses with one or more IP connections (e.g., multimedia or datastreams) that are received via the router's 130 public IP address (e.g.,from the server 304 and/or 306). The router 130 may coordinate one ormore of the respective public IP addresses (e.g., of the server 304and/or server 306) with one or more IP connections (e.g., multimedia ordata streams) that are sent to the router's 130 private IP address(e.g., from the gateway device 310, laptop 312, and/or laptop 314). Therouter 130 may perform such coordination via a Network Address Table(NAT) (not shown), or the like, for example.

The wireless control device 120, the occupancy sensor 180, and/or theremote control device 184 may be operable to transmit and receive RFsignals 106 including Internet Protocol packets directly to dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C, or to dimmer switches 110A, 110B,and/or 110C via the wireless router 130 (and perhaps also via thegateway device 310). The router 130 (and perhaps the gateway device 310)may be operable to transmit one or more digital messages via RF signals106 that may correspond to the RF signals 106 received from the wirelesscontrol device 120, the occupancy sensor 180, and/or the remote controldevice 184. The one or more digital messages may be transmittedaccording to a proprietary RF communication protocol (such as, forexample, the Clear Connect™ protocol) to the dimmer switch 110A, dimmerswitch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C via RF signals 108. The dimmerswitch 110A, dimmer switch 110B and/or dimmer switch 110C may include awireless communication module (e.g. circuit) operable to receive digitalmessages according to the proprietary RF communication protocol via theRF signals 108. For example, the wireless control device 120, theoccupancy sensor 106, the remote control device 184, the router 130, thelaptop 312, and/or the laptop 314 may transmit the RF signals 106directly to the dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmerswitch 110C via a point-to-point communication, such as a Wi-Ficommunication link, e.g., an 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN),or other direct wireless communication link, e.g., a Wi-MAXcommunication link or a Bluetooth® communication link.

In FIG. 3A, a communication dongle (not shown) could be connected to thewireless control device 120 that may allow for direct communicationbetween the wireless control device 120 and the dimmer switch 110A,dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C using the proprietary RFcommunication protocol via RF signals 108. For example, thecommunication dongle could be plugged into a headphone jack on thewireless control device 120, or a USB port on 120. The occupancy sensor180 and/or the remote control device 184 may communicate with the dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C using the proprietary RF communicationprotocol via RF signals 108.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of an exemplary network environment 300B. In FIG.3B, the router 130 may communicate with one or more servers 304, 306 viathe Internet 308, perhaps as accessed through the “cloud.” For example,router 130 may establish at least one Internet Protocol (IP) connectionwith either server 304 and/or 306. The at least one IP connectionbetween the router 130 and either server 304 and/or 306 may be made viaa router's 130 public IP address (and the respective public IP addressesof server 304 and/or server 306). A gateway device 310 may communicatewith the router 130 via a wired or wireless connection. Any number ofdevices in FIG. 3B, such as, for example, the router 130, the gatewaydevice 310, laptop 314, dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/ordimmer switch 110C, among other devices, may be connected to the ACpower supply 102, perhaps via a hardwired connection or via electricaloutlets 316 and 316A, for example. Dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C may operate lighting load 104A lightingload 104B, and/or lighting load 104C as described previously herein.Occupancy sensor 180 may communicate with the router 130 and/or dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C, perhaps to adjust the intensity of oneor more of the dimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C based on adetected occupancy of the environment 300B. A user may activate one ormore of the buttons (soft buttons or hard buttons (e.g. physical buttonsor manual operators)) on the remote control device 184, which maycommunicate with the router 130 and/or dimmer switches 110A, 110B,and/or 110C to adjust the intensity of one or more of the dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C. And a user may override the occupancysensor's 180 control of the dimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C, forexample.

The router 130 may establish a non-public (or private) IP address forthe router 130 and may establish an IP connection and correspondingrespective private IP addresses with the dimmer switches 110A, 110B,and/or 110C, the gateway device 310, and the laptop 312 and/or thelaptop 314. The router 130 may coordinate one or more of the respectiveprivate IP addresses with one or more IP connections (e.g., multimediaor data streams) that are received via the router's 130 public IPaddress (e.g., from the server 304 and/or 306). The router 130 maycoordinate one or more of the respective public IP addresses (e.g., ofthe server 304 and/or server 306) with one or more IP connections (e.g.,multimedia or data streams) that are sent to the router's 130 private IPaddress (e.g., from the gateway device 310, laptop 312, and/or laptop314). The router 130 may perform such coordination via a Network AddressTable (NAT) (not shown), or the like, for example.

The wireless control device 120, the occupancy sensor 180, and/or theremote control device 184 may be operable to transmit and receive RFsignals 106 including Internet Protocol packets directly to and fromdimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C, or to amd from the dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C via the wireless router 130 (andperhaps also via the gateway device 310). The router 130 (and perhapsthe gateway device 310) may be operable to transmit one or more digitalmessages via RF signals 106 that may correspond to the RF signals 106received from the wireless control device 120, the occupancy sensor 180,and/or the remote control device 184. For example, the wireless controldevice 120, the occupancy sensor 106, the remote control device 184, therouter 130, the laptop 312, and/or the laptop 314 may transmit the RFsignals 106 directly to the dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B,and/or dimmer switch 110C via a point-to-point communication, such as aWi-Fi communication link, e.g., an 802.11 wireless local area network(LAN), or other direct wireless communication link, e.g., a Wi-MAXcommunication link or a Bluetooth® communication link.

The wireless control device 120, the wireless router 130, and thegateway device 310, the occupancy sensor 180, and/or the remote controldevice 184 may communicate with the laptop 314, dimmer switch 110A,dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C via one or more devicesthat have a private IP address and are connected to the AC powers source102 via an Ethernet IP based protocol (e.g., the TCP/IP and/or“HomePlug” protocols) that may be carried via the conductors thatdeliver electrical energy from the AC power source 102 to the variousdevices (e.g., router 130, gateway device 310, dimmer switch 110A,dimmer switch 110B, dimmer switch 110C, and/or laptop 314). The gatewaydevice 310, the occupancy sensor 180, the remote control device 184, andthe dimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C (and perhaps the occupancysensor 180 and the remote control device 184) may also transmit,receive, and/or interpret energy pulses that may be used to conveysignals and/or information via the conductors may deliver electricalenergy from the AC power source 102 to the gateway device 310 and thedimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C (and perhaps the occupancysensor 180 and the remote control device 184).

FIG. 3C is a diagram of an exemplary network environment 300C. In FIG.3C, the router 130 may communicate with one or more servers 304, 306 viathe Internet 308, perhaps as accessed through the “cloud.” For example,router 130 may establish at least one Internet Protocol (IP) connectionwith either server 304 and/or 306. The at least one IP connectionbetween the router 130 and either server 304 and/or 306 may be made viaa router's 130 public IP address (and the respective public IP addressesof server 304 and/or server 306). A gateway device 310 may communicatewith the router 130 via a wired or wireless connection. Any number ofdevices in FIG. 3C, such as, for example, the router 130, the gatewaydevice 310, laptop 314, dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/ordimmer switch 110C, among other devices, may be connected to the ACpower supply 102, perhaps via a hardwired connection or via electricaloutlets 316 and 316A, for example. Dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C may operate lighting load 104A lightingload 104B, and/or lighting load 104C as described previously herein.Occupancy sensor 180 may communicate with the router 130 and/or dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C, perhaps to adjust the intensity of oneor more of the dimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C based on adetected occupancy of the environment 300C. A user may activate one ormore of the buttons (soft buttons or hard buttons (e.g., physicalbuttons or manual operators)) on the remote control device 184, whichmay communicate with the router 130 and/or dimmer switches 110A, 110B,and/or 110C to adjust the intensity of one or more of the dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C. And a user may override the occupancysensor's 180 control of the dimmer switches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C byactivating one or more of the buttons of the remote control device 184,for example.

The router 130 may establish a non-public (or private) IP address forthe router 130 and may establish an IP connection and correspondingrespective private IP addresses with the gateway device 310, the laptop312 and/or the laptop 314. The router 130 may coordinate one or more ofthe respective private IP addresses with one or more IP connections(e.g., multimedia or data streams) that are received via the router's130 public IP address (e.g., from the server 304 and/or 306). The router130 may coordinate one or more of the respective public IP addresses(e.g., of the server 304 and/or server 306) with one or more IPconnections (e.g., multimedia or data streams) that are sent to therouter's 130 private IP address (e.g., from the gateway device 310,laptop 312, and/or laptop 314). The router 130 may perform suchcoordination via a Network Address Table (NAT) (not shown), or the like,for example.

The wireless control device 120, the occupancy sensor 180, and/or theremote control device 184 may be operable to transmit and receive RFsignals 106 including Internet Protocol packets directly to dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C, or to dimmer switches 110A, 110B,and/or 110C via the gateway device 310 (and perhaps via the wirelessrouter 130). The gateway device 310 may be operable to transmit one ormore digital messages via RF signals 106 that may correspond to the RFsignals 106 received from the wireless control device 120, the occupancysensor 180, and/or the remote control device 184 (perhaps via the router130). The one or more digital messages may be transmitted according to aproprietary RF communication protocol (such as, for example, the ClearConnect™ protocol) to the dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/ordimmer switch 110C via RF signals 108. The dimmer switch 110A, dimmerswitch 110B and/or dimmer switch 110C may include a wirelesscommunication module (e.g. circuit) operable to receive digital messagesaccording to the proprietary RF communication protocol via the RFsignals 108. The gateway device 310 (and perhaps the router 130) maycommunicate with the laptop 314, dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B,and/or dimmer switch 110C via an Ethernet based IP protocol (e.g.,TCP/IP and/or “HomePlug” protocols) that may be carried via theconductors that deliver electrical energy from the AC power source 102to the various devices such as the router 130, the gateway device 310,laptop 314, dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch110C, among other devices illustrated in FIG. 3C.

In FIG. 3C, a communication dongle (not shown) could be connected to thewireless control device 120 that may allow for direct communicationbetween the wireless control device 120 and the dimmer switch 110A,dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C using the proprietary RFcommunication protocol via RF signals 108. For example, thecommunication dongle could be plugged into a headphone jack on thewireless control device 120, or a USB port on 120. The occupancy sensor180 and/or the remote control device 184 may communicate with the dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C using the proprietary RF communicationprotocol via RF signals 108.

The router 130 may further establish IP connections and correspondingrespective private IP addresses with the occupancy sensor 180, remotecontrol device 184, dimmer switch 110A, 110B, and/or 110C. In suchsituations, the router 130 may coordinate one or more of the respectiveprivate IP addresses of the occupancy sensor 180, remote control device184, dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110Cwith one or more IP connections (e.g., multimedia or data streams) thatare received via the router's 130 public IP address (e.g., from theserver 304 and/or 306). The router 130 may coordinate one or more of therespective public IP addresses (e.g., of the server 304 and/or server306) with one or more IP connections (e.g., multimedia or data streams)that are sent to the router's 130 private IP address (e.g., from theoccupancy sensor 180, remote control device 184, dimmer switch 110A,dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C).

When dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110Cmay be assigned private IP addresses, the wireless control device 120,the occupancy sensor 180, and/or the remote control device 184 (amongother devices with private IP addresses) may transmit RF signals 106including Internet Protocol packets to the dimmer switch 110A, dimmerswitch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C. For example, the wirelesscontrol device 120, the occupancy sensor 106, the remote control device184, the router 130, the laptop 312, and/or the laptop 314 may transmitthe RF signals 106 directly to the dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C via a point-to-point communication, suchas a Wi-Fi communication link, e.g., an 802.11 wireless local areanetwork (LAN), or other direct wireless communication link, e.g., aWi-MAX communication link or a Bluetooth® communication link. Thewireless control device 120, the occupancy sensor 180, and/or the remotecontrol device 184 may communicate with the laptop 314, dimmer switch110A, dimmer switch 110B, and/or dimmer switch 110C via one or moredevices that have a private IP address and are connected to the ACpowers source 102 via an Ethernet IP based protocol (e.g., the TCP/IPand/or “HomePlug” protocols) that may be carried via the conductors thatdeliver electrical energy from the AC power source 102 to the variousdevices (e.g., router 130, gateway device 310, dimmer switch 110A,dimmer switch 110B, dimmer switch 110C, and/or laptop 314).

FIG. 4A is a simplified block diagram of a first example of a dimmerswitch 400A (e.g., one of the dimmer switches 110A, 110B, 110C shown inFIG. 3A). The example dimmer switch 400A comprises a controllablyconductive device 410 coupled in series electrical connection betweenthe AC power source 102 and the lighting load 404 for control of thepower delivered to the lighting load. The controllably conductive device410 may comprise a relay or other switching device, or any suitable typeof bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as, for example, a triac, afield-effect transistor (FET) in a rectifier bridge, or two FETs inanti-series connection. The controllably conductive device 410 includesa control input coupled to a drive circuit 412.

The dimmer switch 400A further comprises a control circuit, e.g., acontroller 414, coupled to the drive circuit 412 for rendering thecontrollably conductive device 410 conductive or non-conductive to thuscontrol the power delivered to the lighting load 404. The controller 414may comprise a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), amicroprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any suitable processing deviceor control circuit. A zero-crossing detector 415 determines thezero-crossings of the input AC waveform from the AC power supply 402. Azero-crossing may be the time at which the AC supply voltage transitionsfrom positive to negative polarity, or from negative to positivepolarity, at the beginning of each half-cycle. The controller 414receives the zero-crossing information from the zero-crossing detector415 and provides the control inputs to the drive circuit 412 to renderthe controllably conductive device 410 conductive and non-conductive atpredetermined times relative to the zero-crossing points of the ACwaveform.

The controller 414 receives inputs from mechanical switches 416 that aremounted on a printed circuit board (not shown) of the dimmer switch400A, and are arranged to be actuated by buttons (e.g., the toggleactuator 114 and the intensity adjustment actuator 116). The controller414 also controls light-emitting diodes 418, which are also mounted onthe printed circuit board. The light emitting diodes 418 may be arrangedto illuminate visual indicators (e.g., the visual indicators 118) on afront surface of the dimmer switch 400A, for example, through a lightpipe structure (not shown). The controller 414 is also coupled to amemory 420 for storage of unique identifiers (e.g., the MAC address andthe IP address) of the dimmer switch 400A, the SSID and the SSIDpassword of the wireless LAN, instructions for controlling the lightingload 404, programming instructions for communicating via a wirelesscommunication link, or the like. The memory 420 may be implemented as anexternal integrated circuit (IC) or as an internal circuit of thecontroller 414. A power supply 422 generates a direct-current (DC)voltage V_(CC) for powering the controller 414, the memory 420, andother low-voltage circuitry of the dimmer switch 400A.

The dimmer switch 400A further includes a wireless communication module(e.g. circuit) 430 for transmitting and receiving wireless signals(e.g., the RF signals 106 and/or 108) to and from a wireless device(e.g., the wireless control device 120, the gateway device 310, and/orthe wireless router 130). For example, the wireless communication module430 may be configured to communicate via a Wi-Fi communication link, aWi-MAX communication link, a Clear Connect™ communication link, and/or aBluetooth® communication link. The wireless communication module 430 mayalso include one or more other radio protocol modules (e.g. radios) thatmay be operable to communicate via a number of other protocols includingWi-Fi and/or a proprietary RF protocol such as the Clear Connect™protocol. The dimmer switch 400A may further include a second wirelesscommunication module (e.g. circuit) 432 that may be configured tocommunicate via a Wi-Fi communication link, a Wi-MAX communication link,a Clear Connect™ communication link, and/or a Bluetooth® communicationlink. The wireless communication module 432 may also include one or moreother radio protocol modules (e.g. radios) that may be operable tocommunicate via a number of other protocols including Wi-Fi and/or aproprietary RF protocol such as the Clear Connect™ protocol.

When the wireless communication modules 430 and/or 432 comprise a Wi-Fimodule, the controller 414 is operable to control the lighting load 104in response to received digital messages in Wi-Fi packets (i.e.,Internet Protocol packets received via the Wi-Fi signals). If both ofthe wireless communication modules 430 and 432 comprise Wi-Fi modules,the modules may communication using different frequency channels. Thewireless communication module 430 and/or 432 may comprise one or more RFtransceivers and one or more antennas. Examples of antennas forwall-mounted dimmer switches are described in greater detail in U.S.Pat. No. 5,736,965, issued Apr. 7, 1998, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,362,285,issued Apr. 22, 2008, both entitled COMPACT RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSMITTINGAND RECEIVING ANTENNA AND CONTROL DEVICE EMPLOYING SAME, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The dimmer switch 400A further comprises an optical module (e.g.circuit) 440, such as an optical signal receiving circuit for example.The optical module 440 may be optically coupled to an optical receiver(e.g., the optical receiver 119). The optical module 440 may be coupledto the optical receiver 119 on the front surface of the dimmer switch400A, for example, through a light pipe (not shown), such that theoptical module 440 may receive the optical signals from the wirelesscontrol device 120 via the light pipe. For example, the optical module440 may comprise a photodiode (not shown) that is responsive to theoptical signals transmitted by the wireless control device 120. Inaddition, the photodiode of the optical module 440 may be controlled bythe controller 414, so as to transmit optical signals to the wirelesscontrol device 120 (as will be described in greater detail below), forexample.

The wireless control device 120 may control the controllably conductivedevice 410 using the optical signals and/or the digital messagesreceived via the RF signals 106 and/or RF signals 108. For example, thecontroller 414 may determine the module from which the signals arereceived, e.g., from the wireless communication module 430 and/or 432 orthe optical module 440, and the controllably conductive device 410 maybe controlled based on those signals. The controller 414 may alsotransmit messages to the wireless control device 120 via optical signalsor digital messages transmitted via the RF signals 106 and/or RF signals108. For example, the controller 414 of the dimmer switch 400A may beused to transmit digital messages to the wireless control device 120 viawireless communication. The digital messages may include alerts and/orfeedback and status information regarding the lighting load 104. Thedigital messages may also include error messages or indications as towhether the dimmer switch 400A is able to communicate via a wirelesscommunication link or RF signals 106 and/or RF signals 108, for example.

FIG. 4B is a simplified block diagram of a second example of a dimmerswitch 400B (e.g., one of the dimmer switches 110A, 110B, 110C shown inFIG. 3B). The example dimmer switch 400B comprises a controllablyconductive device 410, a drive circuit 412, a controller 414, azero-crossing detector 415, mechanical switches 416, light-emittingdiodes 418, a memory 420, a power supply 422, and an optical module 440.The elements within these devices, the functions of these devices,and/or interactions of and among these devices may be the same orsimilar as described with respect to FIG. 4A.

The dimmer switch 400B further includes a wireless communication module(e.g. circuit) 430 for transmitting and receiving RF signals (e.g., theRF signals 106) to and from a wireless device (e.g., the wirelesscontrol device 120, the gateway device 310, and/or the wireless router130). For example, the wireless communication module 430 may beconfigured to communicate via a Wi-Fi communication link, a Wi-MAXcommunication link, a Clear Connect™ communication link, and/or aBluetooth® communication link. The wireless communication module 430 mayalso include one or more other radio protocol modules (e.g. radios) thatmay be operable to communicate via a number of other protocols includingWi-Fi and/or a proprietary RF protocol such as the Clear Connect™protocol.

The dimmer switch 400B may further include a power line interface (e.g.circuit) module 434 for transmitting and receiving signals carried onthe conductors connected to the AC power source 102 via an Ethernet IPbased protocol (e.g. TCP/IP, and/or a power line communication protocolsuch as the “HomePlug” protocol) where the conductors may deliverelectrical energy from the AC power source 402 to the dimmer switch400B. The power line interface module 434 may also transmit, receive,and/or interpret energy pulses that may be used to convey signals and/orinformation via the conductors may deliver electrical energy from the ACpower source 402 to the dimmer switch 400B.

When the wireless communication module 430 comprises a Wi-Fi module, thecontroller 414 is operable to control the lighting load 404 in responseto received digital messages in Wi-Fi packets (i.e., Internet Protocolpackets received via the Wi-Fi signals). The wireless communicationmodule 430 may comprise one or more RF transceivers and one or moreantennas.

The wireless control device 120 may control the controllably conductivedevice 410 using the optical signals, the digital messages received viathe RF signals 106, and/or digital messages received via the Ethernet IPbased power line protocol (e.g., TCP/IP and/or “HomePlug” protocols).For example, the controller 414 may determine the module from which thesignals are received, e.g., from the wireless communication module 430,the power line interface module 434, or the optical module 440, and thecontrollably conductive device 410 may be controlled based on thosesignals. The controller 414 may also transmit messages to the wirelesscontrol device 120 via optical signals or digital messages transmittedvia the RF signals 106, and/or digital messages transmitted via theEthernet IP based power line protocol. For example, the controller 414of the dimmer switch 400B may be used to transmit digital messages tothe wireless control device 120 via wireless communication. The digitalmessages may include alerts and/or feedback and status informationregarding the lighting load 404. The digital messages may also includeerror messages or indications as to whether the dimmer switch 400B isable to communicate via a wireless communication link or RF signals 106,for example.

FIG. 4C is a simplified block diagram of a third example of a dimmerswitch 400C (e.g., one of the dimmer switches 110A, 110B, 110C shown inFIG. 3C). The example dimmer switch 400C comprises a controllablyconductive device 410, a drive circuit 412, a controller 414, azero-crossing detector 415, mechanical switches 416, light-emittingdiodes 418, a memory 420, a power supply 422, and an optical module 440.The elements within these devices, the functions of these devices,and/or interactions of and among these devices may be the same orsimilar as described with respect to FIG. 4A.

The dimmer switch 400C further includes a wireless communication module(e.g. circuit) 430 for transmitting and receiving RF signals (e.g., theRF signals 106 and/or 108) to and from a wireless device (e.g., thewireless control device 120, the gateway device 310, and/or the wirelessrouter 130). For example, the wireless communication module 430 may beconfigured to communicate via a Wi-Fi communication link, a Wi-MAXcommunication link, a Clear Connect™ communication link, and/or aBluetooth® communication link. The wireless communication module 430 mayalso include one or more other radio protocol modules (e.g. radios) thatmay be operable to communicate via a number of other protocols includingWi-Fi and/or a proprietary RF protocol such as the Clear Connect™protocol. The dimmer switch 400C may further include a second wirelesscommunication module (e.g. circuit) 432 that may be configured tocommunicate via a Wi-Fi communication link, a Wi-MAX communication link,a Clear Connect™ communication link, and/or a Bluetooth® communicationlink. The wireless communication module 432 may also include one or moreother radio protocol modules (e.g. radios) that may be operable tocommunicate via a number of other protocols including Wi-Fi and/or aproprietary RF protocol such as the Clear Connect™ protocol. The dimmerswitch 400C may further include a power line interface module (e.g.circuit) 434 for transmitting and receiving signals carried on theconductors connected to the AC power source 402 via an Ethernet IP basedprotocol (e.g. TCP/IP, and/or a power line communication protocol suchas the “HomePlug” protocol) where the conductors may deliver electricalenergy from the AC power source 402 to the dimmer switch 400C. The powerline interface module 434 may also transmit, receive, and/or interpretenergy pulses that may be used to convey signals and/or information viathe conductors may deliver electrical energy from the AC power source402 to the dimmer switch 400C.

When the wireless communication modules 430 and/or 432 comprise a Wi-Fimodule, the controller 414 is operable to control the lighting load 404in response to received digital messages in Wi-Fi packets (i.e.,Internet Protocol packets received via the Wi-Fi signals). The wirelesscommunication module 430 and/or 432 may comprise one or more RFtransceivers and one or more antennas.

The wireless control device 120 may control the controllably conductivedevice 410 using the optical signals and/or the digital messagesreceived via the RF signals 106 and/or RF signals 108. For example, thecontroller 414 may determine the module from which the signals arereceived, e.g., from the wireless communication module 430 and/or 432 orthe optical module 440, and the controllably conductive device 410 maybe controlled based on those signals. The controller 414 may alsotransmit messages to the wireless control device 120 via optical signalsor digital messages transmitted via the RF signals 106 and/or RF signals108. For example, the controller 414 of the dimmer switch 400C may beused to transmit digital messages to the wireless control device 120 viawireless communication. The digital messages may include alerts and/orfeedback and status information regarding the lighting load 404. Thedigital messages may also include error messages or indications as towhether the dimmer switch 400C is able to communicate via a wirelesscommunication link or RF signals 106 and/or RF signals 108, for example.

FIG. 5A a first simplified example block diagram of an input device,e.g., a remote control device 500A (such as, the remote control device184 of FIGS. 3A-3C). The example remote control device 500A may includedevices such as a controller 514, a memory 520, a wireless communicationmodule 530, and/or a wireless communication module 532. One or more ofthe elements within these devices, one or more of the functions of thesedevices, and/or one or more of the interactions of and among thesedevices may be the same or similar as described with respect to FIG. 4A.The remote control device 500A may also include a battery power supply550 that may provide electrical power to the one or more devicesincluded in the remote control device 500A, such as the controller 514.

The example remote control device 500A may also include buttons 552,visual indicators 556, and/or a battery 550. The controller 514 of theremote control device 500A may be configured to receive commands inputvia the one or more buttons 552. The one or more buttons 552 may includeone or more soft buttons or one or more hard buttons (e.g., physicalbuttons or manual operators). For example, the controller 514 mayinterpret inputs via the one or more buttons 552 as user commandsintended for one or more devices (e.g., a dimmer switch). Again by wayof example, a user may contact one button of the one or more buttons 552of remote control device 500A to order the appropriate dimmer switch(e.g., the dimmer switch 110A) to adjust the intensity of a lightingload (e.g., the lighting load 104A) to 50%, among many otherconfigurable adjustments. The controller 514 of the remote controldevice 500A may interpret the signal from the one button of the one ormore buttons 552 as a command to order the dimmer switch 110A to performthe adjustment to 50%.

The controller 514 may communicate the command to the dimmer switch 110Avia one or more wireless signals sent via wireless communication module530 and/or 532 (e.g., in a manner that is the same or similar to thefunctions described with respect to communication modules 430 and/or 432as described with regard to FIG. 4A). The controller 514 of the remotecontrol device 500A may be configured to control one or more visualindicators 556 to provide the user with one or more feedback or statusindications (e.g. at least for a period of time). For example, oneindicator of the one or more indicators 556 may indicate (e.g. for someperiod of time) that one or more buttons 552 may have been activated bya user (e.g. as interpreted by the controller 514). Also by way ofexample, one indicator of the one or more indicators 556 may indicate(e.g., for a period of time) that the dimmer switch 110A has receivedthe command from the controller 414 to perform an adjustment (e.g. asinput by the user) of the lighting load 104A. Also by way of example,one indicator of the one or more indicators 556 may indicate that thatbattery 550 is at a low level of charge.

FIG. 5B a second simplified example block diagram of an input device,e.g., a remote control device 550B (such as the remote control device184 of FIGS. 3A-3C). The remote control device 500B may include one ormore of the same or similar functional blocks as those included anddescribed with respect to the remote control device 500A of FIG. 5A. Theone or more of the elements within these functional blocks, one or moreof the functions of these functional blocks, and/or one or more of theinteractions of and among these functional blocks may be the same orsimilar as described with respect to FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A. The remotecontrol device 500B may operate with just the wireless communicationmodule 530 in lieu of both the wireless communication modules 530 and532.

FIG. 5C is a first simplified example block diagram of a sensor device,e.g., an occupancy sensor 500C (such as the occupancy sensor 180 ofFIGS. 3A-3C). The occupancy sensor 500C may include one or more of thesame or similar functional blocks as those included and described withrespect to the remote control device 500A of FIG. 5A. The one or more ofthe elements within these functional blocks, one or more of thefunctions of these functional blocks, and/or one or more of theinteractions of and among these functional blocks may be the same orsimilar as described with respect to FIG. 4A and FIG. 5A.

The occupancy sensor 500C may also include at least one sensor circuit554. The at least one sensor circuit 554 may detect the presence (orlack thereof) of people in a given area of sensor effectiveness. Thecontroller 514 of the occupancy sensor 500C may be configured to receivea signal from the at least one sensor 554, interpret the signal asindicating a presence or absence of people in the given area of sensoreffectiveness (perhaps for a period of time), and/or send one or morecommands to other devices based on the interpreted presence of people orlack thereof. For example, should the controller 514 of the occupancysensor 500C interpret the at least one sensor 554 to report the lack ofpresence in the given area of effectiveness (perhaps for some period oftime, e.g., 60 seconds), the controller may send respective commands towireless devices, e.g., to one or more of the dimmer switches 110A,110B, and/or 110C to lower the respective intensities of the lightingloads 104A, 104B, and/or 104C (e.g., shutoff all the lights when allpeople have left the room). Also by way of example, should thecontroller 514 of the occupancy sensor 500C interpret the at least onesensor 554 to report a transition from a lack of any presence to thepresence of at least one person in the given area of effectiveness, thecontroller may send respective commands to one or more of the dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C to increase the respective intensitiesof the lighting loads 104A, 104B, and/or 104C (e.g., turn at least someof the lights when at least one person enters the area of sensoreffectiveness). The controller 514 of the occupancy sensor 500C maycommunicate the command to the dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch 110B,and/or dimmer switch 110C via one or more wireless signals sent viawireless communication module 530 and/or 532 (e.g., in a manner that isthe same or similar to the functions described with respect tocommunication modules 430 and/or 432 as described with regard to FIG.4A).

FIG. 5D a second simplified example block diagram of a sensor device(such as the occupancy sensor 180 of FIGS. 3A-3C). The occupancy sensor500D may include one or more of the same or similar functional blocks asthose included and described with respect to the occupancy sensor 500Cof FIG. 5C. The one or more of the elements within these functionalblocks, one or more of the functions of these functional blocks, and/orone or more of the interactions of and among these functional blocks maybe the same or similar as described with respect to FIG. 4A, FIG. 5A,and FIG. 5A. The occupancy sensor 500D may operate with just thewireless communication module 530 in lieu of both the wirelesscommunication modules 530 and 532.

FIG. 5E is a simplified example block diagram of a contemplatedcombination input and sensor device 500E which may be employed in theenvironments of FIGS. 3A-3C. The combination input/sensor device 500Emay include one or more of the same or similar functional blocks asthose included and described with respect to the remote control device500A and 500B and the occupancy sensor 500C and 500D that may beemployed in the environments of FIGS. 3A-3C. The one or more of theelements within these functional blocks, one or more of the functions ofthese functional blocks, and/or one or more of the interactions of andamong these functional blocks may be the same or similar as describedwith respect to FIG. 4A, FIG. 5A, and FIG. 5C.

As described previously, any of the devices of the network environments300A-300C of FIGS. 3A-3C (e.g. wireless control device 120, dimmerswitches 110A, 110B, and/or 110C, router 130, occupancy sensor 180,remote control 184, laptops 312 and/or 314, among others shown and notshown) for a number of contemplate purposes, may include one or moreradios. For example, any of the devices of the network environments300A-300C may include at least one radio that may be operable totransmit via multiple protocols (e.g., the Wi-Fi and/or the ClearConnect™ protocols) over multiple communication networks, wired and/orwireless, which may be operable to communicate with the respectiveprotocols. Alternatively or additionally, any of the devices of thenetwork environments 300A-300C may include at least one radio that maybe operable to transmit/receive via at least one protocol (e.g., theWi-Fi protocol) and at least a second radio that may be operable totransmit/receive via at least another protocol (e.g., a proprietary RFprotocol like the Clear Connect™ protocol) over multiple communicationnetworks, wired and/or wireless, that may be operable to communicatewith the respective protocols.

One or more, or any, of the devices of the network environments300A-300C may serve as a master gateway node (e.g., may be elected bythe other devices to serve as the master gateway node). The mastergateway node may serve as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)node (or function), for example. The master gateway node may provide oneor more, or any, of the other devices of the network environments300A-300C with information that may enable the one or more other devicesto connect to the Wi-Fi network (e.g., an IP based protocol). By way ofexample, and not limitation, the master gateway node may provide the oneor more devices of the network environments 300A-300C with a service setidentifier (SSID), an SSID password, a wireless security password or keyvalue such as a WEP password/key or a WPA password/key, and/or an IPaddress, and/or other credentials or access information to enable therespective devices to connect (or register) to the Wi-Fi protocolnetwork (e.g., via the router 130). Such Wi-Fi access information may bepreconfigured on any of the respective devices of the networkenvironments 300A-300C.

The Wi-Fi access information may be provided to the one or more devicesof the network environments 300A-300C via a reliable broadcast-capableRF protocol, such as the previously described Clear Connect™ protocol,either approximately at a time that it may be useful for the one or moredevices to join the Wi-Fi communication network, or at some timeearlier. For example, the Wi-Fi access information (e.g., even ifpreconfigured) for the one or more devices may be updated by the mastergateway node either periodically or under certain conditions. Also, themaster gateway node may provide an indication (e.g., via the ClearConnect™ protocol) to the one or more devices of the networkenvironments 300A-300C that may invite the one or more devices to usethe Wi-Fi protocol access information to communicate, at leasttemporarily (e.g., for a firmware upgrade), with one or more devices ofthe network environments 300A-300C (e.g., the master gateway node or anyother device of the network environments 300A-300C). For example,perhaps after the invited node may have completed the function for whichit was invited to join the Wi-Fi network (e.g., a firmware upgrade isfully communicated and/or completed), the master gateway node may signal(e.g., via the Wi-Fi and/or Clear Connect™ protocols) the invited nodeto discontinue Wi-Fi communication and/or to leave the Wi-Fi network. Byrequesting that the invited node discontinue Wi-Fi communication and/orto leave the Wi-Fi network, the burden on the router 130 and/or Wi-Ficommunication may be minimized. Alternatively or additionally, theinvited node may be configured to discontinue Wi-Fi communication and/orto leave the Wi-Fi network after the completion of the function forwhich it was invited to communicate via Wi-Fi and/or after the end of atimeout period (e.g., the invited node may leave the Wi-Fi network onits own determination and without being requested to leave the Wi-Finetwork).

Alternatively or additionally, the one or more devices of the networkenvironments 300A-300C may use the Wi-Fi access information tocommunicate with one or more other devices of the network environments300A-300C at a time and/or under a condition determined by the one ormore devices of the network environments 300A-300C that may be inpossession of Wi-Fi access information. For example, dimmer switch 110Amay use its respective Wi-Fi access information to join the Wi-Ficommunication network to communicate data or information (e.g., tocommunication monitoring database information to one or other devices ofthe network environments 300A-300C) via the Wi-Fi protocol, (e.g.,perhaps because its monitoring database may have become full). After thedimmer switch 110A communicates the data or information, the dimmerswitch 110A may discontinue communication via the Wi-Fi protocol untilsuch time as the dimmer switch 110A may be invited to (or may decideitself to) communicate once again via the Wi-Fi protocol. In addition,when a button of an input device (e.g., the remote control device 184)is actuated, the input device may use its respective Wi-Fi accessinformation to join the Wi-Fi communication network to communicateinformation regarding an actuation of the button. Further, a sensordevice (e.g., the occupancy sensor 180) may use its respective Wi-Fiaccess information to join the Wi-Fi communication network tocommunicate information regarding an occupancy or vacancy condition.Alternatively, a sensor device, such as a daylight sensor, mayperiodically use its respective Wi-Fi access information to join theWi-Fi communication network to communicate information regarding anambient light intensity measured in a space.

The Wi-Fi protocol may be useful via which to communicate high bandwidthdata (e.g. configuration data such as firmware upgrades and/or data forrelatively sophisticated user interfaces, programming data, and/ordatabase data management) among Wi-Fi capable (IP capable) devices. Areliable broadcast-capable RF protocol, such as the previously describedClear Connect™ protocol may be useful via which to communicaterelatively low bandwidth data and/or relatively high performancesignaling information (e.g. operational data such as operationalcommands, operational (runtime) error codes, programming error codes,and/or timing synchronization signals, among other relatively highperformance data). It may be useful to allocate high bandwidth datasignaling (e.g. firmware upgrades, user interface data, and/or databaseinformation transfer) more to Wi-Fi protocol communication so thatreliable broadcast-capable RF protocol communication, such as via theClear Connect™ protocol, may be allocated for the relatively highperformance data signaling (e.g. time synchronization signaling).

For example, radios using the Wi-Fi protocol may communicate at afrequency of 2.4 GHz. This frequency may be considered part of theindustrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio band—which may fairlycrowded, may be widely available, and may be generally considered to bean unlicensed band. Radios may communicate using the Wi-Fi protocol at arange of 120 to 300 feet (with 802.11n, up to double these ranges may bepossible), for example. Radios may communicate using the Wi-Fi protocolat a rate of up to 54 Mbits/s (802.11g) and/or 300 Mbit/s (802.11n),with an average data rate of approximately 22 Mbit/s, for example.Radios may communicate via Wi-Fi with an output power of approximately20-100 mW (13-20 dBm).

For example, radios using the Clear Connect™ protocol may communicate atfrequencies of 434 MHz and/or 868 MHz (perhaps based on regionalfactors). The 434 MHz and 868 MHz bands may be far less crowded thanother bands and may be licensed, and may be subject to a relativelystringent set of regulations, including the United States' FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) regulations that may limit transmitpower and/or duty cycle, for example. Radios may communicate using theClear Connect™ protocol at a range of 30 to 60 feet indoor and/or 300feet open air (perhaps extendable via repeaters), for example. Radiosmay communicate using the Clear Connect™ protocol at a rate of up to62.5 Kbit/s, for example. Radios may communicate via the Clear Connect™protocol with an output power of approximately 4 mW (5 dBm).

FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates wireless communication networkaccess activity for one or more contemplated devices and techniques. At6002, one or more devices, such as the dimmer switch 110A, dimmer switch110B, dimmer switch 110C, the occupancy sensor 180, and/or the remotecontrol device 184, and other devices from environments 300A-300C (bothshown and not shown), may not be communicating via a wirelesscommunication network (e.g., a wireless local area network (LAN)) inwhich communication may be conducted via a particular wireless protocol,for example the Wi-Fi protocol. By not communicating on the Wi-Ficommunication network, the respective device or devices may not place aburden on the Wi-Fi communication network and/or the router 130. Whilethe respective device or devices may not be communicating on the Wi-Ficommunication network, the device or devices may or may not be operatingon another wireless communication network (e.g. a Clear Connect™protocol network) and/or a wired communication network (e.g., a wiredTCP/IP network or a power line protocol network). At 6004, one or moreof the devices may, perhaps to execute a particular task, receive atrigger from another device to access the Wi-Fi communication network.Alternatively or additionally, the device may determine an internaltrigger condition to access the Wi-Fi communication network.

At 6006, the device or devices may access the Wi-Fi communicationnetwork, perhaps with access information provided by another device orpreconfigured on the accessing device or devices. While on the Wi-Ficommunication network the device or devices may execute the tasks ortasks that may have been part of the trigger for the device or devicesto access the Wi-Fi communication network. At 6008, perhaps either aftercompleting the task, after some predetermined time, and/or afterreceiving a disconnect signal from another device, the device or devicesmay leave the Wi-Fi communication network.

Referring to FIG. 7 and in view of FIGS. 3A-3C, a contemplated technique7000 may start at 7002 and may include, at 7004, sending Wi-Ficonnection information (e.g., from the master gateway node) to atargeted device of a network environment (e.g., dimmer switch 110A orother load control device) via a proprietary RF protocol (e.g., theClear Connect™ protocol). At 7006, another node in the networkenvironment may decide to communicate a firmware upgrade to the targeteddevice. At 7008, the targeted node may be signaled (e.g. via the mastergateway node) to use the Wi-Fi connection information to establish aWi-Fi communication connection (e.g., with the router 130) via aproprietary RF protocol (e.g., Clear Connect™ protocol).

At 7010, the targeted device may use the Wi-Fi connection information toestablish itself on the Wi-Fi network and commence Wi-Fi communication(e.g., via the IP address provided by the master gateway node). At 7012,send the firmware upgrade data to the targeted device via the Wi-Ficommunication network (e.g., the master gateway device and/or via the IPaddress of the targeted device). At 7014, upon the completion of thefirmware upgrade data transfer and/or a successful firmware upgrade, thetargeted device may receive a request (e.g., via the master gatewaynode) to terminate Wi-Fi communication and/or leave the Wi-Fi network.Alternatively or additionally, at 7014, upon the completion of thefirmware upgrade data transfer and/or a successful firmware upgrade, thetargeted device may determine a condition and/or period of time toterminate Wi-Fi communication and/or leave the Wi-Fi network. At 7016,the targeted device may terminate the Wi-Fi connection and/or leave theWi-Fi network upon the condition being satisfied or the request beingreceived. At 7018, the technique may end and may resume at 7002 as oftenas required to accommodate user configured load control functions forthe network environments 300A-300C.

While the present application has been described with reference to thedimmer switches 110, and the wireless control devices 120, the conceptsof the contemplated devices and techniques could be applied to anycontrol devices that are operable to communicate with each other, suchas, for example, dimming ballasts for driving gas-discharge lamps;light-emitting diode (LED) drivers for driving LED light sources;screw-in luminaires including integral dimmer circuits and incandescentor halogen lamps; screw-in luminaires including integral ballastcircuits and compact fluorescent lamps; screw-in luminaires includingintegral LED drivers and LED light sources; electronic switches,controllable circuit breakers, or other switching devices for turningappliances on and off; plug-in load control devices, controllableelectrical receptacles, or controllable power strips for eachcontrolling one or more plug-in loads; motor control units forcontrolling motor loads, such as ceiling fans or exhaust fans; driveunits for controlling motorized window treatments or projection screens;motorized interior or exterior shutters; thermostats for a heatingand/or cooling systems; temperature control devices for controllingsetpoint temperatures of HVAC systems; air conditioners; compressors;electric baseboard heater controllers; controllable dampers; humiditycontrol units; dehumidifiers; water heaters; pool pumps; televisions;computer monitors; audio systems or amplifiers; generators; electricchargers, such as electric vehicle chargers; an alternative energycontrollers; occupancy sensors, vacancy sensors, daylight sensors,temperature sensors, humidity sensors, security sensors, proximitysensors, keypads, battery-powered remote controls, key fobs, cellphones, smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants, personalcomputers, timeclocks, audio-visual controls, safety devices, andcentral control transmitters.

Additionally, the techniques described herein may be implemented as aset of computer-executable instructions stored on a computer-readablemedium, such as a random-access or read-only memory for example. Suchcomputer-executable instructions may be executed by a processor ormicrocontroller, such as a microprocessor, within the dimmer switch 110or the wireless control device 120, for example.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for controlling power delivered toat least one electrical load, the apparatus comprising: a controller; afirst wireless communication circuit coupled to the controller, thefirst wireless communication circuit operable to communicate via a firstprotocol and operable to join a first wireless communication networkoperable for communication via the first protocol; and a second wirelesscommunication circuit coupled to the controller, the second wirelesscommunication circuit operable to communicate via a second protocol;wherein the controller is configured to: communicate load controlsignals via the second protocol via the second wireless communicationcircuit with one or more load control devices; determine a firstcondition for communicating via the first protocol; and control thefirst wireless communication circuit to join the first wirelesscommunication network and execute a task via the first wirelesscommunication network in response to determining the first condition. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is furtherconfigured to disconnect from the first wireless communication networkafter a predetermined time.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontrol circuit is further configured to disconnect from the firstwireless communication network after completing the task.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configuredto disconnect from the first wireless communication network in responseto receiving a disconnect signal from another device.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the first condition comprises an internal trigger toaccess the first wireless communication network.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first condition comprises a message received viathe second wireless communication network, the message comprising arequest to join the first wireless communication network.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the task comprises receiving one offirmware upgrade data, configuration data, or database data via thefirst wireless communication network.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive networkaccess information for the first wireless communication network in adigital message received via the second wireless communication network.9. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a sensor circuitconfigured to generate a signal that is received by the control circuit.10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the internal trigger comprises achange in the signal generated by the sensor circuit, the controlcircuit configured to join the first wireless communication network inresponse to detecting the change in the signal generated by the sensorcircuit and to transmit a message including information regarding thechange in the signal generated by the sensor circuit via the firstwireless communication network.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe change in the signal generated by the sensor circuit indicates anoccupancy or vacancy condition in an area in which the wireless controldevice is installed, the control circuit configured to includeinformation regarding the occupancy or vacancy condition in the messagetransmitted via the first wireless communication network.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the change in the signal generated by thesensor circuit indicates a change in an ambient light level in an areain which the wireless control device is installed, the control circuitconfigured to include information regarding the ambient light level inthe message transmitted via the first wireless communication network.13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured tocommunicate with a wireless router or a smart phone via the firstwireless network.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising acontrollably conductive device in communication with the controller; andwherein the controller is further configured to: receive a message viathe second protocol; and control, based on the received message, thecontrollably conductive device.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe apparatus is configured to communicate high-bandwidth data via thefirst protocol and to communicate low-bandwidth data via the secondprotocol.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first protocol is awireless Internet Protocol (IP) based protocol.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the second protocol is a Bluetooth protocol.